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Are Comics Books?
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in ColumnOkay, so that’s a stupid question. Or at least it may initially sound like one. In terms of publication and distribution, and their dependency on advertisements, comics are clearly magazines by definition. Which would then make graphic novels compiled magazines… which they are clearly (I hope) not. But the fact is that “comic book” is…
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Batman: Arkham Asylum Teaser Trailer Online
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in Comic NewsAn intriguing teaser trailer for the new video game Batman: Arkham Asylum is online. Last week an odd environment trailer showcased Ol’ Arkham itself, while this footage gives several glimpses of the characters involved. Unsurprising given the recent surge of public interest from The Dark Knight, the Joker hogs a large portion of the meagre…
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Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Graphic Novel Review
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2008, Dark Horse Script: Haden Blackman Art: Brian Chang, Bong Dazo, Wayne Nichols Colors: Michael Atiyeh Why do Star Wars comics so rarely work? The space opera movies, with their colourful characters, lovingly hammy dialogue, epic vistas and galactic dogfights should translate perfectly to the comic medium. And yet Dark Horse’s offerings, while seldom terrible,…
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The Prestige Movie Review
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2006 Dir: Christopher Nolan Script: Christopher Nolan, Jonathan Nolan Cast: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie As stage ingeneur John Cutter (Caine) explains during The Prestige’s opening, there are three stages of a magic act: the pledge; in which the magician shows us something ordinary, the turn; in which the magician “takes…
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Joker (Brian Azzarello) TPB Review
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2008, DC Writer: Brian Azzarello Art: Lee Bermejo Inks: Mike Gray Colors: Patricia Mulvihill The funny books are a confusing puddle to sporadically dip one’s big hairy toe into. While Bryan Singer’s first X-men movie spanked the Box Office, comic readers were confused as to why the sycophantic, bulbous cretin Toad had evolved overnight into…
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Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America TPB Review
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2007, Marvel Writer: Jeph Loeb Art: Leinil Yu, Ed McGuniness, Dexter Vines, John Romita Jr., Klaus Janson, David Finch, Danny Miki, John Cassady Colours: Dave McCaig, Jason Keith, Morry Hollowell, Frank D’Armata, Laura Martin With Steve Roger’s dead, Marvel has seen fit to churn out this collection of reactionary tales advertising featuring their finest properties.…
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Coraline Movie Trailer
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in Movie NewsThe official full length trailer from the Neil Gaiman children’s novel (also adapted into a graphic novel by P. Craig Russell) has been doing the rounds for the past few days. Directed by Henry Selick, who was responsible for The Nightmare Before Christmas – which was based on a picture book by Tim Burton, but…
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Alan Moore’s Top 10 Book 2 TPB Review
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2002, Windstorm Writer: Alan Moore Art: Gene Ha, Zander Cannon Colours: Alex Sinclair Best described as The Shield with capes, Top 10 is an undeniably enjoyable cop drama with a heavy soap opera element that, while stopping it from ever being placed alongside Alan Moore’s genuine classics, allows its characters to grow on you in…
Shelf Abuse
Storytelling, comic books and self-publishing
To better focus my efforts, Bothersome Books, my wee publishing imprint and home to my novel and short stories, has merged with Shelf Abuse. Expect several new releases this year.
Shelf Abuse: Sporadically Singing the Unsung Since 2006
Welcome to Shelf Abuse, the blog of British writer, web/graphic designer and occasional illustrator Carl Doherty.
What started out in 2006 as a blog about comics, gradually leaning more towards self-published and creator-owned works, has slowly transitioned into a home for my own self-published efforts, and a place to share my opinions on art, literature, cinema, storytelling, publishing, design, animal rights, depression… and yes, still comics. You’ll also find the occasional guest article amidst my mercifully brief rants.
Current Site Status
Due to an increasingly dense schedule, I’m no longer officially accepting review submissions. Hopefully this will eventually change, but not looking likely any time soon.
However, my love for indie comics hasn’t diminished in the slightest. Please do feel free to follow me on social media, add me to your mailing list or inform me of your new book. I can’t always reply, but I always appreciate hearing about new books.